These include any document regarding any of the Orders founded by St. Francis and any person's or affairs related. These are provided both for the purposes of historical studies into the life of St. Francis and the Friars Minor as well as the utility of Franciscans and Poor Clares the world over.
Other sites on the Net, which contain large collections, regarding Medieval Documents are:
REGESTA IMPERII : An inventory of all charters and historiographic sources of Roman-German kings from the Carolingians to Maximilian I. and of the Popes of the early and high Middle Ages, which are one of the major sources of German and European history.
The great majority of these documents are official acts of the Apostolic See.
In Chronological Order
Innocent III
Sicut manifestum : c. 1214 A.D.
The Rescript of Pope Innocent III granting the Privilege of Holy Poverty to St. Clare
Latin & English Text / Latin & Spanish Text (OFM Val) / Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Honorius III
Cum delicti : June 11, 1218 A.D.
A Letter of Pope Honorius III to the Bishops of the World, recommending St. Francis and the Brothers of Penance
Español (BEBF)
Litterae tuae Nobis : August 27, 1218 A.D.
The Rescript of Pope Honorius III granting the Poor Clares the patronage of the Apostolic See
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Formula for the Establishment of a Monastery of Poor Clares : c. 1219
Used by Cardinal Hugolino dei Segni during the pontificate of Honorius III, during his visitations
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Personal Letter of Cardinal Hugolino dei Segni to St. Clare: unknown date
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Sacrosancta Romana Ecclesia : July 27, 1219 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Honorius III to the Poor Clares of Santa Maria di Monticelli, Florence
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
N.B. As of June 28, 2005, the Portuguese introduction to this link cited a date of Dec. 3, 1229 for this document. The Date cited above is taken from the Latin text of the Document.
Pio dilectis : May 29, 1220 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Honorius III to the Bishops and Nobles of France, recommending Order of Friars Minor
Español (BEBF)
Cum secundum : September 22, 1220 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Honorius III to the Priors and Custodes of the OFM, establishing the requirement of the observance of the Novitiate
Español (BEBF)
Memoriale Propositi: Original Text of Third Order Rule of 1221 A.D. -- English c/o The Brothers & Sisters of Penance
Solet Annuere: November 29, 1223 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Honorius III on the confirmation of the Rule of St. Francis
Latin (FA) / Latín (BEBF) / Latin (BA) / Latin (OFM Val)
English (FA) / Spanish (OFM Val) / French / French / Italiano (FA) / Italiano (OFM Cap) / Italiano (SF.com) / Dutch (FSC: Zipped TXT)
An annotated English translation of this Bull can be found in The Writings of St. Francis available in HTML and PDF formats from this site.
The Regula Bullata, (Latin & English), PDF (Letter Sized)
La Regola Bollata (Latino & Italiano), PDF (A4): una traduzione italiana che riprende il testo latino, usando un italiano letterario per essere anche più fedele al testo originale
Quia populares : December 3, 1224 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Honorius III granting the OFM the privilege of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in their own convents
Español (BEBF)
Vineae Domini custodes : October 7, 1225 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Honorius III to the Missionary Friars of the Order of Preachers and the OFM, sent to the Kingdom of Miramamolin, granting them Apostolic privileges
Español (BEBF)
Gregory IX
Recolentes : April 29, 1227 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX the Bishops of the whole world, granting the OFM the privilege of erecting their own churches, wherever they may dwell
Español (BEBF)
Inter Venerabilem : August 4, 1227 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to the Poor Clares of San Paolo, Spoleto, confirming their Apostolic exemption
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Magna sicut dicitur : August 12, 1227 A. D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to the Poor Clares of Santa Maria, Siena, confirming their Apostolic exemption
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Quoties cordis : December 14, 1227 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to the Minister General of the OFM, confirming their pastoral care for all the Poor Clare Monasteries
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Deus Pater : c. July 1228 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to the Poor Clares of Assisi, encouraging them in the observance of the Evangelical Life
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Mira circa nos: July 16, 1228 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX canonizing St. Francis of Assisi
English / Español (BEBF) / Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Matribus sororibus : August 18, 1228 A.D.
The Letter of Cardinal Rainaldo dei Segni, protector of the Order of St. Clare, to the Abbesses and sisters of the Order, naming as their Apostolic Visitator, Friar Phillip, and exhorting them to receive and obey him.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
N.B. As of June 28, 2005, the introduction cited this document with the date of 1220, though the text itself, puts it in the second year of the Pontificate of Gregory IX.
Sicut Manifestum Est : September 17, 1228 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to St. Clare and the Poor Clares of Assisi, confirming the Privilege of Holy Poverty
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br) / Latin & Spanish Text (OFM Val)
Cum a Nobis petitur : April 11, 1229 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to St. Clare and the Poor Clares of Assisi, confirming the temporary Rule for the Poor Dames of San Damiano.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Religiosam vitam : December 21, 1229 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to St. Agnes and the Poor Clares of Monticelli, confirming previous Papal documents issued by pope Honorius III in their favor
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Quo Elongati : September 28, 1230 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to the superiors of the OFM, on the interpretation of the Rule of St. Francis
Español (BEBF) / Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Coelestia quaerentibus : December 2, 1234 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to St. Clare and the Poor Clares of Assisi, dispensing them in times of necessity from their strict observances.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Cum relicta saeculi : May 18, 1235 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to St. Agnes of Prague, granting the concession of establishing a hospital under Papal patronage, adjacent to their Convent
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Etsi omnium illa: November 22, 1236 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to all the faithful, excommunicating those who violate the Cloister of an established convent of Poor Clares
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Licet velut ignis : February 9, 1237 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to all the Poor Clares establishing the practice of perpetual abstinence from meat in all their monasteries
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Cum sicut propositum: April 9, 1227 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Gregory IX to the Poor Clares of the Monastery of St. Francis, Prague, conceding the power of dispensation for the sake of the cold climate to their Abbess
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Prudentibus virginibus: April 14, 1237 A.D.
The Letter of William, the vice-chancellor of the Roman Church, receiving the Monastery of St. Francis, Prague, into the patronage of the Apostolic See and establishing it as a Monastery of Poor Clares
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Pia credulitate tenentes : April 16, 1238 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to St. Agnes of Prague and her sisters in St. Clare the privilege of not receiving any other property other than that of their Hospital
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Pia meditatione pensantes : May 5, 1238 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to St. Agnes of Prague and her sisters in St. Clare granting dispensations for reasons of the cold climate of the place
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
De Conditoris omnium : May 9, 1238 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to St. Agnes of Prague and her sisters in St. Clare encouraging them in their most excellent observance of Evangelical perfection
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Angelis gaudium : May 11, 1238 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to St. Agnes of Prague and her sisters in St. discussing various points of the observance of the Rule of St. Clare
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Ex parte carissimae : December 18, 1238 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to St. Agnes of Prague and her sisters in St. Clare, dispensing them from some of the fasts of the Rule of St. Clare
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Statum monasterii : February 17, 1239 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to the Poor Clares of San Paolo, Spoleto, defending their privilege of most holy poverty
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Ad audientiam nostrum : February 21, 1241 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to the Bishops of the whole world, forbidding any women from wearing the habit of the Poor Clares, who are not members of their Order
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Vestris piis supplicationibus : May 31, 1241 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Gregory IX to all the Abbesses of the Monastery of San Damiano, Assisi, specifying when the Friars Minor may enter their Monastery
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Innocent IV
In divini timoris : November 13, 1243 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Innocent IV to St. Agnes of Prague and his sisters at the Monastery of St. Francis, Prague, on the observances of their Monastery.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Vestris piis supplicationibus : October 21, 1245 A. D.
The Bull of Pope Innocent IV to St. Clare and her sisters at San Damiano, Assisi, permitting priests and brothers, for specific needs and occasions, to enter their Cloister.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Solet Annuere : November 13, 1245 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Innocent IV to the Poor Clares, confirming their Rule according to the text drawn up during the Cardinalate of Hugolino dei Segni.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Licet olim quibusdam : July 12, 1246 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Innocent IV to the Minister General and Ministers Provincial of the OFM, regarding the pastoral care of the Poor Clares.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Cum omnis vera religio: August 6, 1247 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Innocent IV to the Poor Clares confirming the Rule for the Poor Dames of San Damiano
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Quoties a Nobis : August 23, 1247 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Innocent IV to the Poor Clares establishing as their rule that proposed in Cum omnis vera religio, and abrogating all prior rules imposed or observed by them.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
N.B.: As of June 28, 2005, the Portuguese introduction to this document cites the date of August 26, 1247, whereas the document itself cites August 23.
Cum harum rector : April 20, 1250 A.D.
The Mandate of Pope Innocent IV to the Bishops of Lombardy, Le Marche, Treviso and Romagna, prohibiting any monastic foundations of nuns to be called the Order of San Damiano, which are not in truth members of the Order founded by St. Clare or observing her Rule.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Inter personas alias : June 6, 1250 A.D.
The Instruction of Pope Innocent IV to Cardinal Reinaldo dei Segni, protector of the Poor Clares, allowing Monasteries of their Order to continue in the observance of the prior rule, if they so desire it.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Etsi ea: June 27, 1250 A.D.
The Letter of Cardinal Reinaldo dei Seigni, protector of the Order of St. Clare, to the Abbesses and sisters of the Order, regarding the recent instruction, Inter personas alias, of Pope Innocent IV.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Solet Annuere : August 9, 1263 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Innocent IV to reconfirming the text of the Rule of St. Clare, that had previously been published on September 16, 1252.
Latin Text (OFM Val) / Spanish Text (OFM Val)
Gloriosus Deus: October 18, 1253 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Innocent IV to Bartolomeo, Bishop of Spoleto, instructing him to open a process for the Canonization of St. Clare of Assisi
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Process for the Canonization of St. Clare: November 28-29, 1253 A.D.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Haberi percepimus: June 26, 1254 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Innocent IV to the Abbess and sisters of St. Clare of the Monastery of St. Elisabeth at Bressanone, Italy, regarding their observances and granting other privileges.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Alexander IV
Nec Insolitum : December 22, 1254 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Alexander IV to the Bishops of the whole world, confirming the norms established by Pope Innocent IV against the usurpation of the care of souls by religious orders
Español (BEBF)
Cum a nobis: March 11, 1255 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Alexander IV disapproving certain points of the agreement between the Bishop of Assisi and of the Poor Clares of the Monastery of San Damiano, regarding their request to be transferred to San Giorgio, next to the tomb of St. Clare.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Clara claris praeclara: September 26, 1255 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Alexander IV canonizing St. Clare of Assisi.
Latin & English Text / Latin Text / Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Sole ille verus : February 10, 1259 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Alexander IV approving the Rule of Bl. Isabel of France, founder of the Order of the Annunciation, under the protection of the OFM.
Latin & Portuguese Text of Bull (OFMCap-Br) / Latin & Portuguese Text of Rule (OFMCap-Br)
Inducunt nos : May 10, 1259 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Alexander IV to the Abbess and sisters of the Monastery of San Damiano & Santa Chiara, Assisi, confirming the translation of their Monastery to the Church of San Giorgio.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Profundi doloris : June 3, 1260 A.D.
The Letter of Pope Alexander IV to Minister Provincial of the Order of Preachers in Germany, imposing a penalty upon a friar preacher who publicly criticized the canonization of St. Clare of Assisi
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Cum in vigilia : September 9, 1260 A.D.
The Mandate of Pope Alexander IV to the Bishops of Perugia, Spoleto, and Assisi, inviting them to the translation of the relics of St. Clare to the high altar of the Church of San Giorgio, Assisi, on the following October 3rd, and granting indulgences to the faithful who attend.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Urban IV
Religionis augmentum: July 29, 1263 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Urban IV approving the second edition of the Rule of Bl. Elisabeth of France, for the Order of the Annunciation.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Beata Clara virtute clarens nomine : July 27, 1263 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Urban IV uniting all the Poor Clares under the observance of the one Rule of St. Clare and establishing them officially with the name of the Order of St. Clare.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
N. B. As of June 28, 2005, the Portuguese introduction to this document cites the date of October 18, 1263, though the document itself cites July 27th.
Beata Clara virtute clarens et nomine : October 18, 1263 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Urban IV confirming the Rule of St. Clare.
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Clement IV
Ut Ordo Beatae Clarae : December 11, 1265 A.D.
The Instruction of Pope Clement IV to the Friar Minor, visitator of the Order of St. Clare
Latin & Portuguese Text (OFMCap-Br)
Nicholas III
Exiit qui seminat: August 14, 1279 A.D.
The Constitution of Pope Nicholas III on the observance of the Rule
English / Latin / Español (BEBF)
Nicholas IV
Supra montem: August 17, 1289 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Nicholas IV on the Third Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis
English / English c/o OFS / Latin
Clement V
Exivi de paradiso: May 6, 1312 A. D.
The Bull of Pope Clement V on the observance of the Rule
English / Latin / Español (BEBF)
John XXII
Quum inter nonnullos: November 12, 1323 A. D.
The Bull of Pope John XXII against the heresy of absolute poverty
Quia quorundam: November 10, 1324 A. D.
The Bull of Pope John XXII against a heretical misinterpretation of Papal Authority in regards to declarations of his predecessors on the Rule
Sixtus IV
Superna Caelestis: April 14, 1482 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Sixtus IV, canonizing St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio
Leo III
Inter Cetera: Pope Leo III's Bull on the Rule of The Third Order Regular, 1521 -- English
16th Century Documents of the Capuchin Reform
Español c/o (BEBF)
Sixtus V
Triumphantis Hierusalem: March 14, 1588 A.D.
The Bull of Pope Sixtus V, inscribing St. Bonaventure among the primary Doctors of the Church
St. Innocent XI
Sollicitudo Pastoralis: November 20, 1679 A. D.
The Motu Proprio of Pope St. Innocent XI on the unmitigated observance of the Rule
Leo XIII
Auspicato Concessum: September 17, 1882 A. D.
The Encyclical Letter of Pope Leo XIII on the Seventh Centenary of the Birth of St. Francis of Assisi
c/o vatican.va: English and Italian / TXT c/o ewtn.com
Misericors Dei Filius: May 30, 1883 A. D.
The Consitution of Pope Leo XIII on the Revised Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis
St. Pius X
Septimo Iam: October 4, 1909 A.D.
The Apostolic Letter of Pope St. Pius X resolving certain controversies among the Orders of Friars Minor
Benedict XV
Sacra Propediem: January 6, 1921 A. D.
The Encyclical of Pope Benedict XV on the Third Order of St. Francis.
English Texts: HTML at the Vatican / TXT c/o ewtn.com
Pius XI
Rite Expiatis: April 30, 1926 A. D.
Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on Seventy Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.
English Texts: HTML at the Vatican: TXT
Rerum condicio: October 4, 1927 A.D.
Pope Pius XI's Apostolic Constitution reforming the Rule of the Third Order Regular
Paul VI
The Rule of Life for the Third Order Secular, promulgated by Pope Paul VI
Seraphicus Patriarcha: Pope Paul VI's Version of the Third Order Rule
Latin (OFM Val)
Spanish (OFM Val)
Italian c/o OFS
John Paul II
The Constitutions of the Friars Minor Conventuals
Español c/o (BEBF)
The Constitutions of the Friars Minor 1982 A.D.
Español c/o (BEBF)
Franciscanum Vitae Propositum: December 8, 1982 A.D.
Pope John Paul II's Version of the Rule of the Third Order Regular
Latin (OFM Val)
English (TOR-Penn)
Spanish (OFM Val)
Italian c/o OFS
Third Order Regular Constitutions
The Constitutions of the Capuchin Friars Minor (1990)
On the Occasion of the Eighth Centenary of St. Anthony of Padua's Birth: June 13, 1994 A. D.
Pope John Paul II's Address for the up-coming commemoration
On the Occasion of the Eighth Centenary of the St. Clare's Birth: August 11, 1993 A.D.
by Pope John Paul II, c/o vatican.va
This Page is Published and Maintained by
The Franciscan Archive
https://franciscan-archive.org
A WWW Resource on St. Francis and Franciscanism
To submit a link or to report an bad link, please contact the Webmaster